The scent of parchment and candle wax filled the library as always — warm, steady, familiar. My sanctuary. My world.
And then the door creaked open.
I looked up, half-expecting one of my clones or maybe Rowena — though she hadn't come by since… that day. But instead, a small, soft voice broke the quiet.
"Um… excuse me, are you Lady Seraphina?"
I blinked and stared.
Standing in the doorway was a girl around my age, maybe a little younger. She had long, wavy blonde hair that shimmered like sunlight against the old stone and a pair of striking emerald eyes that caught the candlelight perfectly. Her robes were neat but worn, her expression curious and brave in equal measure.
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
"Uh—yes, that's me," I managed, trying not to sound as flustered as I felt. "And… you are?"
The girl smiled shyly, the kind that could melt through any ward I'd ever cast. "Luna. Luna Black."
Black.
My brain clicked instantly — the pureblood Black family. I'd read about them in future history. The most ancient and noble family of the wizarding world. But that family line was supposed to begin centuries after this era. So… did that mean she was the first? The beginning?
"I—I didn't know the Black family was around this early," I said, blinking.
She tilted her head. "My father says we're an old family. We just… don't have much of a name yet."
Great. So I was standing in front of the prologue to one of the most infamous bloodlines in magical history — and of course she had to be beautiful.
"Right," I said, forcing myself to look away before I started blushing harder. "Well, Luna, what brings you here?"
"I wanted to learn," she said simply, her gaze drifting over the shelves. "They said you're the cleverest witch in the castle. That you make spells no one's ever seen before."
I froze, halfway between pride and embarrassment. "I, uh… might've done a little experimenting."
She turned to me, eyes bright with admiration. "Then I want to learn from you. Not from the others. Please."
My heart skipped.
Rowena's rejection still stung — that quiet, cold ache that hadn't faded even after weeks. But this… this was different. This wasn't love. This was… maybe purpose.
And yet, I couldn't ignore the faint pink in my cheeks as I nodded slowly. "You want to be my student?"
Luna nodded. "Yes. I'll work hard, I promise."
I hesitated, glancing at the quills and spell diagrams scattered across the desk. "Alright then," I said finally, offering a small smile. "But be warned — I'm not like the others. I only take personal disciples, not whole groups. It's harder. Stricter."
"That's fine," she said quickly, excitement shining in her eyes.
I couldn't help it — I laughed softly. "You really remind me of… well, never mind."
"Of who?" she asked curiously.
"Someone who drove me crazy," I said with a faint grin. "But that's a story for another day."
Luna smiled again — a genuine, glowing smile that felt like the first bit of sunlight after a long storm.
"Welcome, Luna Black," I said, extending my hand. "My first disciple."
She clasped it, her small fingers warm against mine.
And for the first time in a while, the library didn't feel so lonely.